Many villagers think it is completely normal to suffer from frequent water-borne illnesses. Showing them that this can be prevented with clean water is an important task for Paul Njuguna.

Sometimes I am amazed at the great ideas that develop around our program. In a rural community near Kisumu, for example, the water kiosk that supplies the village with clean drinking water and the neighboring school are currently forming a partnership. In return for a small monthly charge, the kiosk will set up water dispensers in classrooms so the children are always able to drink clean water. The idea is not necessarily something that might occur to everyone. For example, I went to school in the capital Nairobi, where it is not as hot as in this region, which meant we did not have to drink as much. And most importantly, there is not the problem of dirty water in this form.

I have been involved with Safe Water Enterprises for more than a year now. Before this, one of my jobs was at the United Nations, where I was responsible for a project that worked on supplying electricity to rural areas. When I first heard of the Siemens Stiftung water kiosks, I was excited. Clean drinking water is such an urgent need – and most importantly, the technology behind it is immensely practical. A filter to clean river water – that is all you need. From experience, I know that the technology needs to be as simple as possible when working in rural regions. This means, firstly, that it is easy to explain. And best of all, there are no components that are difficult to replace if something breaks.

I travel a lot with my work. I am always visiting the communities where we have set up a water kiosk. Our principles include working closely with the communities so that the project receives broad support. Each water kiosk is operated by a kiosk manager appointed by the community organization. We encourage the community to identify a manager with an entrepreneurial mindset from the local area, who is then given appropriate training. This normally works very well, but occasionally there are disagreements between community members. Then it is my job to visit the scene, talk to everyone involved and help to resolve the dispute – at the end of the day, we all share the same objective and interests.

We have had good experiences with the hygiene training sessions at the water kiosks. These educate people about the links between water and disease. I notice again and again that many villagers think it is completely normal to suffer from frequent diarrhea and other waterborne illnesses. Showing them that this can be prevented with clean water is an important task. It is often about things that might seem trivial – for example, washing hands regularly and making sure always to carry clean water in clean containers.

A great example for me of how our program can help is a project where a water kiosk was built at a hospital. The kiosk operator is now able to supply the entire hospital with drinking water. Not only the patients benefit from the station, but also the hospital’s neighbors, who can also collect clean water there.

"From experience, I know that technology needs to be as simple as possible when working in rural regions."

Water kiosk in Githembe – Interview with Alice Wanjiru

Working Area:

Basic Needs & Social Entrepeneurship

Country/Region:

Kenya

Alice Wanjiru is happy with her new job: She is manager of a water kiosk in Githembe, Kenya.

A water kiosk in Githembe provides work for Alice Wanjiru and safe drinking water for her village

Alice Wanjiru lives in a small village in the Thika region north of Nairobi. Like many Kenyans who live in remote areas with poor infrastructure, Alice and her village community drank polluted water from a nearby river. The result: countless cases of illness, high medication costs, and missed school hours.

Since 2012, Githembe has a water kiosk, which has changed the situation. Mobile water filtration systems daily produce up to 10,000 liters of safe drinking water, which can be purchased at an affordable price.

From her job as kiosk manager, Alice generates income for herself and her family. The Safe Water Enterprise in Githembe not only contributes to improved health in the community but also offers opportunities to make a living.

“Since 2012, the water station in Githembe has been my permanent job and allows me to provide for my family.”

Alice Wanjiru is happy with her new job: She is manager of a water kiosk in Githembe, Kenya.

A water kiosk in Githembe provides work for Alice Wanjiru and safe drinking water for her village

Alice Wanjiru lives in a small village in the Thika region north of Nairobi. Like many Kenyans who live in remote areas with poor infrastructure, Alice and her village community drank polluted water from a nearby river. The result: countless cases of illness, high medication costs, and missed school hours.

Since 2012, Githembe has a water kiosk, which has changed the situation. Mobile water filtration systems daily produce up to 10,000 liters of safe drinking water, which can be purchased at an affordable price.

From her job as kiosk manager, Alice generates income for herself and her family. The Safe Water Enterprise in Githembe not only contributes to improved health in the community but also offers opportunities to make a living.

“Since 2012, the water station in Githembe has been my permanent job and allows me to provide for my family.”